Donna the Buffalo to headline Blue Ridge BBQ Festival

Friday

Jun 14, 2013 at 4:15 AM

By JASON GILMER For Halifax Media Group

It's been five years since Donna the Buffalo has put out a new record, and there's a good reason for the lapse.They've been busy. "We're a heavy touring band and we're on the road all the time, so finding time to record is tough," said vocalist Tara Nevins. "It's hard for us to find the time to take a break."The group began working on "Tonight, Tomorrow and Yesterday" in February 2012 and has finally wrapped it up, with the release set for Tuesday.They'll give fans a preview of the new material when they headline the main stage Saturday night at the Blue Ridge BBQ Festival in Tryon.The two-day event has plenty of music, food and family fun. Today, the music headliners are bluegrass standouts Town Mountain (7:30 p.m.) and Appalachian rockers Big Daddy Love (9:30 p.m.). Charleston's The Blue Dogs will play before Donna the Buffalo hits the stage.Nevins admits the new material is different and its mainly because of the people playing the songs. Nevins and songwriter-vocalist Jeb Puryear are the lone original band members left and they're joined by David McCracken (Hammond organ, Honer Clavinet and piano), Kyle Spark (bass) and Mark Raudabaugh (drums).Nevins said they are each great musicians who "optimize our songs."The album was recorded on two-inch tape in analog. It was the first time Donna the Buffalo has recorded this way.The quintet sat in a circle in a church and recorded the tracks. For this album, unlike the previous release, no guests were brought in."There's the arguments for it sounding warmer," Nevins said of recording in analog.Without planning it, the group will soon reach a milestone in longevity. Formed in 1989, Donna the Buffalo has traveled constantly across the country making music.A new video for the song "I Love My Tribe" was recently released and is getting good reviews, Nevins said. View it at www.cmtedge.com/2013/06/03/donna-the-buffalo-gathers-the-herd-for-i-love-my-tribe.